PREFIXED TO THE

Rev. Mr. MASON's TREATISE

ON

SELF-KNOWLEDGE.

IT

T is pity, that a book so excellent as this fhould have any blemish; but we are well apprized, that every work of man is liable to imperfection: indeed we cannot doubt, that it is fairly chargeable upon every human production. Therefore, I hope that no candid person will

think me worthy of blame, if, while in general I greatly respect this excellent book, I take the liberty to intimate, that it contains fome things mistaken for truths. That this is really the cafe the reader (I perfuade my felf) will discern, if he will take the trouble to compare what the author hath faid with what here follows.

AND I beg leave to enquire,

QUES. I. Is it not plainly our duty to endeavour fincerely to understand the truth, and then to receive it in the love of it?

Qu. 2. Can we perform this duty, unless we examine, with care and serioufnefs, all and every of those religious doctrines which we profess to believe?

Qu. 3. Can we retain fuch doctrines as will not endure examination, and yet retain a good confcience?

Qu. 4. Is it fufficient to make a doctrine to be true, that we are told it is a true doctrine, and it is a very wicked thing to believe otherwife?

Qu.

Qu. 5. Do we not certainly know that ten and ten are, and that ten and five are not equal to twenty?

Qu. 6. If the reverse were faid to be affirmed by holy writ, ought we not to reject such an interpretation as manifestly false, and impoffible to be true?

Qu. 7. Are we at all more certain that ten and ten are, and that ten and five are not equal to twenty, than we are certain that what is natural is, and for ever must be essentially different from what is moral ?

Qu. 8. Is any one a wicked man, because his complection is naturally a dark, and not a fair complection?

Qu. 9. Is it not equally natural for a man to have a certain

complection, and certain appetites and paffions?

Qu. 10. What reason can be affigned why natural external complection fhould not, and yet natural paffions and appetites fhould conftitute a man wicked, or bad, or morally depraved?